food

I took another picture of my lunch today. Lentil curry with brown rice, and a really good avocado salad. I need to share a few things with you: I usually just use balsamic vinegar and Udo's oil for salad dressing, so I am used to making that. Sometimes I would like a little sweetness in my dressing, so I will add honey or maple syrup. But as we can't use those things, I just thought I wouldn't be able to have my special dressing. Today, though, I was a real chef! I saw this fruit spread that I got at my mom's store that Bonnie confirmed was Challenge-friendly. It's basically just jam, but it has no sugar in it, and is just sweetened with organic grape juice. It is actually quite sweet, and I love it. I added some of the fruit spread to my dressing (1 tsp) and shook it up, and it was sooooooooooooooooo good. Not too sweet, just a little and it was amazing. You can use it like jam with almond butter on challenge friendly bread (which my mom also has some amazing ones like whole wheat oat and raisin and a spelt one too). I am cooking up a pork tenderloin tonight (I know, I know, pork/beef is only once per week) but I also wanted a little sweetness added to the marinade, as typically you might marinade it in dijon mustard and maple syrup. So, I think I will try the jam and mix it up in some oil and dijon mustard for the marinade. I'll let you know how it works!
However, I am aware that I shouldn't use it too much, as it still is sugar to my body, but I promise I won't. Maybe only every couple days.
Had the oatmeal for breakfast w/fresh local strawberries and rice milk and chopped pecans and it was soooo good too! I am actually enjoying this food far more then I thought.
I was kind of craving a veggie sub from Subway for lunch but knew I couldn't have it, but you know what? The lunch that I had was far far better tasting.
I am surprised at how many veggies I am actually eating as I thought I would have a hard time and I thought I would eat more fruit then veggies however I 'm not at all! I am eating much more veggies. For my snack the past few nights (yes, I definetely need an evening snack-I'm breastfeeding, I need it to get me through the night!) I had some hummus with carrots and celery, an apple and some almond butter or nuts. Maybe a few olives too! :)
I am not missing sugar at all, for some reason. Also, I am realizing that I am eating much more then usual, since we are supposed to have snacks and everything which is really good as I am never really hungry, like I used to be. That helps with the cravings, I'm sure. Since I'm never hungry, I never crave anything bad.
Oh, I have to go get my child who is getting impatient!
Hope everyone has a great day!

Kate

PS--both Amy and I made the dressing in the book, and it was way too Oily. I don't measure when I make dressing--just add a few glugs of oil, then a bunch of whichever vinegar you choose, and then shake it up and taste. If it tastes too oily on your finger, then add a bit more vinegar. Most recipes I find are way too oily tasting, so I always have to add more vinegar.